NBA Match Preview: Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls
The top two teams of the Central Division get ready to clash as the Indiana Pacers visit the Chicago Bulls tonight to play at the United Centre. Since this is their first meeting this season, the teams’ head to head currently rests
at a levelled 0-0.
Have the Bulls finally bounced back this season? Last week was a first this season where the Bulls finished without any losses enjoying a perfect 4-0 win-loss mark. Standing at a 10-8 at the beginning of last week, the Bulls were
able to extend their wins to a five game streak. They now stand at a proud 14-8 mark this season, heading the Central Division rankings.
Beginning the week with a match against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Bulls were able to enjoy a nine-point win over the former. From there on it was “win win” for the Bulls. Defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers (88-83) on Wednesday
and then the Los Angeles Lakers (88-84) on Friday, the Bulls came into their last matchup of the week on Saturday when they hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves. Looking only to extend their winning streak, the Bulls enjoyed an impressive season high win against
the Timberwolves. Defeating the Timberwolves by a margin of thirty-one points, the Bulls recorded a 113-82 win on the scoreboards.
Notable performance came for the Bull’s third year guard, Derrick Rose. Rose scored 21 points with 80 percent shooting in the match against Timberwolves. He made his career’s best five 3-pointers during the game. Rose has shot
64.0 percent during the last week. He has also been the Bull’s ace against the Pacers, averaging 24.6 points and shooting 55.4 percent.
After the match with the Timberwolves, Rose said,
"I'm trying to show everybody what I'm working on. You want to show opponents new things so when they're going to play you, they know it's going to be a hard night."
Carlos Boozer also helped in the win against Timberwolves by scoring 17 points. He currently averages 14.6 points after returning from a broken hand.
Standing at a levelled 11-11 win-loss mark this season, the Pacers are currently second in the Central Division standings.
Having alternated between a win and a loss, the Pacers finished last week with a level 2-2 mark. The Pacers’ win last week came on Monday and Friday when they hosted the Toronto Raptors (124-100) and the Charlotte Bobcats (100-92)
respectively. Owing to their road losses to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday and to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, the Pacers are currently on a four game losing streak totalling a 5-6 on the road.
Statistically, Bulls come out as the clear-cut winners of tonight’s matchup. Not only have they won eight of their last nine meetings with the Pacers at the United Centre, but they are also on a five game winning streak, clearly
a testament to their form. Coupled with the Pacers’ four game losing streak on the road, the Bull’s are truly the favourites to win today. The added home advantage does not hurt their chances either. Although the chances of a Pacers win tonight are low, it
still cannot be said for sure as to who will take the lead in the season head to head tonight.
Tags: